Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against rabbit CD4, CD5 and CD11a antigens.

We describe in this report the production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to the rabbit homologues of CD4, CD5 and CD11a antigens, and their use for phenotypic analysis of rabbit lymphoid cell lines. All the mAbs were produced by immunizing mice with rabbit thymocytes. mAb KEN-4 apparently identified rabbit CD4, precipitated two bands of 42 and 50 kDa under reducing and non-reducing conditions and markedly inhibited allo-MLR. The distribution of antigen-positive cells were restricted to the thymus and classical T-dependent areas in peripheral lymphoid tissues. mAb KEN-5 apparently identified rabbit CD5, precipitated a single polypeptide of 67 kDa similar to other anti-CD5 mAb in the human and mouse. The use of this mAb revealed that CD5+ B cells were infrequent in this species. mAb KEN-11 apparently identified rabbit CD11a and precipitated a heterodimer of 150/95 kDa by selectively recognizing the 150 kDa moiety. It blocked cation-dependent aggregation of phorbol ester-induced rabbit Con A blasts and also allo-MLR in a similar manner to other anti-CD11a mAb in various animal species. Phenotypic examination of HTLV-1 transformed rabbit lymphoid cell lines using these mAb clearly indicated that most of them were CD4+, CD5+ and CD11a+, and hence derived from CD4+ T cells. These mAb will be useful tools for the study of the cellular immune system in the rabbit.